Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state to pay employees in managerial or confidential roles (under Article 14 of civil service law) at salary grades no lower than those for comparable union-represented positions. It directly affects state workers in these non-union managerial/confidential roles by ensuring their pay matches union-equivalent positions at the same grade level. The law prohibits reducing any current employee's salary due to this change and takes effect April 1, 2026. It creates a concrete pay parity mechanism without altering existing job classifications or union contracts.

Relates to authorizing geographic pay differentials for certain police officers; authorizes a pay differential for regional state park police, forest ranger, environmental conservation officer, and university police officer titles when wage rates of police officers in a given location are substantially higher than the wage rates paid by the state.

Requires that all procedures and other matters related to the receipt or discontinuation of benefits available under section two hundred seven-c of the general municipal law shall be subject, upon request of the affected employee, to a de novo evidentiary hearing.

Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.

Enacts the "food safety and chemical disclosure act"; prohibits certain food additives and food color additives; provides that in an action to enforce compliance, the recognition by the federal food and drug administration of any of these substances as safe may not be alleged as a defense; establishes requirements for the reporting of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substances.

Relates to arbitration organizations; requires private arbitration organizations involved in fifty or more consumer arbitrations per year to collect, publish at least quarterly, and make available to the public in a computer-searchable database certain information relating to such arbitrations; prohibits financial conflicts of interest.

Relates to modular construction work; provides that modular construction shall comply with any existing municipal licensing requirements for all electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression work.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows medical assistants in outpatient clinics to draw and administer vaccines under direct supervision by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It specifically permits this for vaccines recommended by federal health authorities (like the CDC), requiring medical assistants to complete required training and receive adequate oversight. The law directly affects medical assistants, clinics, and healthcare providers who administer routine vaccines, expanding their scope of practice for vaccination tasks. Key provisions include mandatory federal vaccine recommendations, required training, and supervision requirements to ensure patient safety. The bill does not change vaccine types or eligibility but modifies who can legally administer them in office settings.

Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft; establishes reporting requirements for wage theft convictions.